Advances and Applications of Rapid Electrokinetic Patterning

Abstract

The dynamic manipulation and assembly of colloids enables the advancement of analytical techniques in biotechnology and the development of self-assembled materials. Rapid electrokinetic patterning (REP) is a hybrid optoelectrokinetic technique that simultaneously uses a laser illumination and a uniform AC electric field to yield programmable, dynamic, and non-invasive manipulation of colloidal particles. Since it was introduced, the technique has been applied to microengineering and biological research fields, showing its promising capabilities as a great tool for trapping, aggregating, translating, and sorting single and multiple micro- and nanoparticles, including bacteria. To effectively leverage and enhance these applications, this review paper will highlight its versatility and capability, including REP’s principles, governing physics, different experimental setups, fabrications, applications, and future prospects.